(a) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or the regulations promulgated under this chapter is subject to imprisonment for not more than six months or a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both that imprisonment and fine; but if the violation is committed after a conviction of that person under this section has become final, or the violation is committed with intent to defraud or mislead, the person shall be subject to imprisonment for not more than one year, or a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both imprisonment and fine.
(b) No person shall be subject to the penalties of subdivision (a) for having violated provisions of this chapter if he or she establishes a guaranty or undertaking signed by, and containing the name and address of, the person residing in the State of California from whom he or she received in good faith the article, to the effect that the article conforms to all provisions of this chapter, designating this chapter.
If the guaranty is to the effect that the article is not in violation within the meaning of the federal act, as provided in Section 303 (c) of the federal act, it shall be sufficient for all the purposes of this chapter and have the same force and effect as though it referred to this chapter, unless at any time the standard for the article concerned under this chapter is higher than the standard for a like article under the federal act.
(c) No publisher, radio or television broadcast licensee, or agency or medium for the dissemination of an advertisement, except the manufacturer, packer, distributor, or seller of the article to which a false advertisement relates, shall be liable under this section for the dissemination of false advertisement, unless he or she has refused, on the request of the department, to furnish the department the name and post office address of the manufacturer, packer, distributor, seller, or advertising agency, residing in the State of California who caused him or her to disseminate the advertisement.
(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1996.)